“On March 13, the Buchtelite’s editorial board laid out a challenge to Associated Student Government. Tell us what it is you actually do here at the University of Akron. We went through ASG’s responses. Our commentary is in italics. ? ASG approved 10 new student organizations with a total membership of 300 this year, according to Benjamin Bradford, at-large senator and chairman of the New Student Organization Committee.”
“
On March 13, the Buchtelite’s editorial board laid out a challenge to Associated Student Government.
Tell us what it is you actually do here at the University of Akron.
We went through ASG’s responses. Our commentary is in italics.
? ASG approved 10 new student organizations with a total membership of 300 this year, according to Benjamin Bradford, at-large senator and chairman of the New Student Organization Committee. The groups range from honorary fraternities to religious groups.
This is a worthwhile accomplishment. Statistics show you’re more likely to stay in school if you’re affiliated with a student organization.
However, approving them seems incredibly simple. We’re talking about the Supply Chain Student Association, not the KKK. Give us a rubber stamp and pad of ink. We’ll approve 20 a day.
? Colleen Prinkey, a senator from the College of Nursing, is working on many projects to promote health to the community.
Give her credit. She seems like a hard worker who is making a difference. But what does any of that has to do with ASG? Everything Prinkey is doing could be done by a member of a nursing student organization.
? Jason Ziegler, an at-large senator, talked about helping to bring copies of The New York Times to UA. He mentioned some initiatives to improve campus safety and parking.
ASG also has compiled surveys to give the administration insight about students’ views on restaurants, Zip cards and recycling.
Not bad. Still, the only tangible accomplishment there is the copies of The New York Times. A lot of ASG’s doings circle around letting the administration or state legislators know how students feel.
Truth is, those in Columbus already know that students would rather pay less for tuition. Administrators already know students crave Chipotle burritos, stress-free parking and a crime-free campus. If administrators didn’t know that, they shouldn’t work in a high-level position at a major university.
? Last, but not least, is our ASG president Kyle Bohland, who overwhelmingly won his uncontested re-election a couple weeks ago. He listed other accomplishments, such as clinics on tax preparation, federal financial aid and dressing for an interview.
Also, ASG was responsible for bringing Ruckus, a legal music downloading service, to UA. Sounds great. Right?
Not quite. Ruckus does not allow users to transfer music to discs or iPods. You must download its software and play your music through it, only on your computer. Also, these clinics generally see sparse attendance. And if you didn’t know how to dress for an interview by the time you’re ready to graduate, chances are you won’t be one of the dozen people at the clinic.
Overall, these accomplishments are OK, but certainly nothing to boast about.
The Buchtelite has never questioned ASG members’ work ethic.
We just don’t see enough tangible benefits to its services to justify paying senators one-fourth of tuition and the president 1.5-times tuition.
Bohland says he does not expect an apology or admission of guilt from the Buchtelite.
Good thing.
“
